Laura Gould, who has two children at Bideford College, said students would face a single road, blackberry bushes, mud, lack of street lighting, mobile phone reception and “isolation”.

He said: “Having a young girl, it’s scary to think she’ll be walking on her own for a long time with no one around.”

Ms Gould said there had been a school bus at the college since she went 22 years ago, and added: “I don’t understand why they’ve decided to stop this when there are more children needing this service now.”

District councilor Dermot McGeough said the road was “not fit for purpose” for walking to school.

He said: “I’d like to know where the idea came from.

“As a Devon county councillor, I find it absolutely shocking that Devon County Council has treated us with such disrespect.

“This bus should not be taken away from our children.”

Dr Claire Ankers, principal of Bideford College and Atlantic Academy, said ensuring children went to school safely was the “number one priority”.

He added: “I appreciate parents’ concerns about the recent changes to the bus route from Westward Ho! to school and agree with them that it would be preferable for the bus to continue dropping students directly at Bideford College.

“I understand parents have started a petition asking Devon County Council to reconsider their stance on this issue and I hope the council will be open to listening to the views of the local community on this important issue.”

A council spokesman said: “Following a recent route review, we have determined that it is now (a) safe route for a secondary school age child to walk if accompanied.

“As a result, we wrote to parents informing them that their child’s transportation service would be removed and informed them that they had the right to appeal.”